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Special Collections Collection Policy – The University of Alabama Libraries

Special Collections Collection Policy – The University of Alabama Libraries

The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections collects materials of enduring historical value in the following areas to advance the research, teaching, and instruction missions of The University of Alabama:

Alabama history and culture, 18th century – present

Exploration and settlement of territory in the Gulf of Mexico, 16th century – early 19th century

Southern history and culture, 17th century – present

Civil War and Reconstruction

Slavery, abolition, and emancipation

Civil Rights Movement

Latin America, with special emphasis on Brazil and Mexico

University of Alabama history, 1831 – present

The following policies and procedures apply to all items offered for and acquired by donation to The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections:

Prospective donors to Special Collections should consult University Libraries’ (UL) general policies on collections and gifts to familiarize themselves with UL policies. Items offered for donation to Special Collections may be a better fit for the main collection. The final decision as to where items best belong rests with library administration.

Special Collections staff will evaluate items offered for donation based on their content and condition.

Prospective donors will submit an inventory or description of the items prior to their examination by Special Collections staff.

Prospective donors will identify copyright holders of the materials or show they have made a good faith search to identify them.

At the time of donation, donors who are not the copyright holders of collections which contain mostly copyrighted materials will provide a license from the copyright holder(s) granting permission to digitize donated materials to provide access online and to researchers.

At the time of donation, donors who are the copyright holders will convey the copyright or grant permission to Special Collections to digitize materials to provide access online and to researchers.

Releases are required from the performers of musical, dramatic, or other artistic productions and from interviewers and subjects of oral histories granting permission to provide access online and to researchers.

Donors of manuscripts, personal papers, rare books, maps, photographs or other graphic materials, and materials related to The University of Alabama should contact: